New Canaan News fires reporter for fabricating quotations, sources

A New Canaan News reporter has been dismissed after some of his stories were found to contain fabricated quotations and sources, the Hearst-owned New Canaan News reports.

“We have found 25 stories written by Paresh Jha over the last year and a half that contain quotes from nonexistent sources,” David McCumber, editorial director of the Hearst Connecticut Media Group, said Friday.

Please click here to read the full story in the New Canaan News.

Connecticut SPJ released the following statement:

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists has become aware Paresh Jha of the New Canaan News has been dismissed by Hearst Connecticut Newspapers “after some of his stories were found to contain fabricated quotations and sources.”

As an organization, CT SPJ condemns all acts of fabrication, plagiarism and other unethical practices. And, applauds all media organizations that take swift action to no longer employ individuals engaging in such methods.

Jha was a recent recipient of two, 2011 Journalism Excellence Awards. CT SPJ has sought information from Hearst about verification of sources and reporting included in these two, specific award-winning packages. The CT SPJ Board of Directors and officers are considering whether any action related to these awards should be taken.